A collection of articles related to the intensifying trade war between the USA and the rest of the world.
There are indications that the mess that occurred since the election of Trump in the USA has returned valuations to where it started. The difference now is that we are living through a much more volatile world, so it is a now not about growth, but downside risk.
The political narrative around Trump is that he does not want global conflict and war. However, it is clear Trump has no plan to affect the current conflicts raging that he promised to end within days of being elected.
Understanding the difference between harmful and useful regulation is essential for the left. But, focusing on supposed inefficiency of government does not get us there.
One thing that will be interesting to watch during this tariff and investment war the USA has launched against the world is how it will affect prices.
The capitalist economy of the USA requires large amounts of debt to operate effectively. That debt does not just need to be accessible to new, starting companies and consumers making large purchases, but also to already (highly) indebted companies and consumers. Competition and lack of real pay growth means that the only way to finance growth is through debt spending.
It seems as though if you want to hobble your own economy, you can get access to the US market at a reduced tariff rate.
One of the biggest complaints that the left get from Capital when we raise regulations is the cost of implementation of those regulations. But, looking around the world right now, it is hard to understand that is even a thing to worry about for standard regulatory programs.
There is pressing need for Canada to develop a robust industrial strategy centered on public investment, strategic diversification of export markets, industrial investment, and the safeguarding of publicly funded intellectual property.
The abundance of resources is not enough for Canadian production and export to be commercially viable. And, trade between provinces is limited by the same thing it always was in Canada: distance. The solutions to ensure sustained prosperity of the Canadian people rests with the old ideas of economic solidarity through federal, provincial, and municipal owned companies.
Before Trump was elected, there was a lot of discussions and warnings about what we should avoid doing in response to Trump. Things like avoiding the idea that he means what he says, that we should analyse the psychology of the statements, that we should only pay attention to one of the things instead of looking wholistically at what is happening. We were warned that we should also avoid thinking that there is no plan or that it is all the work of some madman. Why do we seem to have forgotten this warning?
